07/01/2013

It is perhaps the most sweeping and direct accusation of Governor Bob McDonnell since the scandal involving his connection the company Star-Scientific broke.

In documents filed in support of Executive Chef Todd Schneider's motion to dismiss the charges against him, Schneider's attorney Steven Benjamin outlines specifics examples of what he believes is criminal wrong doing by the McDonnell administration. He also claims that when Schneider brought his concerns about the conduct at the Executive Mansion Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli ignored his concerns and instead began the process of charging him with embezzlement.

The embezzlement charges were borne out of a state police investigation. Schneider was ultimately charged by grand jury.

Schneider claims the McDonnell Family used the Executive Mansion for political and personal reasons, often mixing political and taxpayer money to fund the events. In some instances, Schneider claims he was told to just take excess food as payment or charge the taxpayers for his services.

These claims are above and beyond the charges of non-disclosure made against both McDonnell and Cuccinelli.

Keep in mind these are just accusations from Schneider. They do not come from an official law enforcement investigation and there is no way to tell if these accusations have anything to do with the federal investigation into the McDonnell family and their receipt of thousands of dollars in donations from high profile donors.

The Governor's office dismissed Schneider's version of events.

"These are claims made by an
individual facing four felony charges of embezzlement," said Tucker Martin, McDonnell's Director of Communications. "Assertions regarding
this matter should be properly considered in a court of law."

Rachel DePompa was the first to take a look at the documents. Here is her story of NBC12:

RICHMOND (WWBT)- Explosive allegations filed in court today, in
the case of the former executive mansion chef. Attorneys for Todd Schneider are
accusing Governor Bob McDonnell of criminal wrong doing. Schneider
says when he brought that alleged wrong doing to Attorney General Ken
Cuccinneli he claims, Cuccinneli ignored it and turned around and charged him.

In court documents filed
this afternoon- Schneider is accusing the governor of hosting political parties
on the taxpayers' dime and instead of paying him- he was told to take taxpayer
funded food.

In the filing- Schneider's
attorney claims the arrangement" was orchestrated by the governor's administration
to quote "cover up the misuse of state assets that advanced the political
and personal goals of the McDonnells."

The court filing includes a
document that lists parties - many of which were put on by the Governor's
political action committee.
The accusation of misusing
thousands in taxpayer dollars is a felony under Virginia law and carries a 2 to
10 years prison sentence and a 100-thousand dollar fine.The defense argues the charges
against Schneider were brought up improperly because of Ken Cuccinelli's
conflict of interest.
he prosecution argues a grand
jury ultimately indicted Schneider.

There is a gag order in this case
so neither the defense or the prosecutor is allowed to comment.

We did reach out to the Governor
McDonnell's office seeking comment
The Governor has repeatedly
denied any wrong doing- but has not been able to answer many questions because
of an ongoing federal investigation.

We also reached out to Ken Cuccinelli's
These accusations are new
revelations that go above and beyond the initial reports of not reporting
gifts. These accusations- again- are made in the court filings by the defense. We do not know if these claims are in any way
connected to the ongoing federal investigation.